Tricolour to fly high on India’s 68th Republic Day
“Change your opinion, keep to your principles; change your leaves, keep intact your roots.” Famous French Poet Victor Marie Hugo has captured the very essence of our lives—we, the Kiwi-Indians.
Although we might have chosen to build our houses away from our home country, yet home is where your heart is i.e. in our roots—the country we proudly call ‘Bharat’ or India. It might be impractical to talk about or praise your country all the time, but there are at least two days that remind us of India—Independence Day and Republic Day.
India will be celebrating its 68th Republic Day on January 26 and so will be the Indians living in various parts of the world.
History
After attaining independence on August 15, 1947, from the British rule, India did not have a permanent constitution of its own. A drafting committee chaired by Dr B R Ambedkar was appointed for the purpose. The draft constitution went through 166 days of Assembly sessions open to the public, during the two years and 11 months before the constitution was finally adopted in 1950.
On January 24, 1950, the 308 members of Assembly signed two handwritten copies of the document, one in Hindi and one in English, after some modification. Two days later, on January 26, the new Indian constitution came into effect.
The Constitution of India is the supreme law of India that defines the fundamental political principles, structure and duties of government institutions, and the fundamental rights and duties of citizens. It is the longest written constitution of any sovereign country in the world.
The main Republic Day ceremony is held in New Delhi in the presence of the President of India. Indian communities across the world also hold a celebration in their respective countries of residence.
Celebrations in the community
The High Commission of India in New Zealand will be celebrating the Indian Republic Day in Wellington on Thursday, January 26, from 10:30 a.m. The occasion will see a flag-hoisting ceremony that will be followed by the Indian national anthem. The event will be held at Bharat Bhavan, 48 Kemp Street, Kilbirnie. The Indian High Commissioner Sanjiv Kohli will also read out the Indian President’s message to the nation and the programme will also include the cultural performances.
Later in the evening, Mr Kohli will also host a reception for ministers, members of parliament, and community leaders in Lower Hutt at Performing Arts Centre, Sacred Hearts College.
Earlier this week, the High Commission extended an invitation to all Indians and their friends to join the celebration.
Auckland Indian Association will also celebrate the occasion on January 26 at Mahatma Gandhi Centre, New North Road. The event, which will begin at 10 a.m., will feature flag hoisting followed by a cultural programme.
For those who cannot attend the weekday celebrations, Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust is hosting a Republic Day celebration on Saturday, January 21, from 11 a.m. at Mt Roskill War Memorial Hall, May Road, Mt Roskill.
“Change your opinion, keep to your principles; change your leaves, keep intact your roots.” Famous French Poet Victor Marie Hugo has captured the very essence of our lives—we, the Kiwi-Indians.
Although we might have chosen to build our houses away from our home country, yet home is where your...
“Change your opinion, keep to your principles; change your leaves, keep intact your roots.” Famous French Poet Victor Marie Hugo has captured the very essence of our lives—we, the Kiwi-Indians.
Although we might have chosen to build our houses away from our home country, yet home is where your heart is i.e. in our roots—the country we proudly call ‘Bharat’ or India. It might be impractical to talk about or praise your country all the time, but there are at least two days that remind us of India—Independence Day and Republic Day.
India will be celebrating its 68th Republic Day on January 26 and so will be the Indians living in various parts of the world.
History
After attaining independence on August 15, 1947, from the British rule, India did not have a permanent constitution of its own. A drafting committee chaired by Dr B R Ambedkar was appointed for the purpose. The draft constitution went through 166 days of Assembly sessions open to the public, during the two years and 11 months before the constitution was finally adopted in 1950.
On January 24, 1950, the 308 members of Assembly signed two handwritten copies of the document, one in Hindi and one in English, after some modification. Two days later, on January 26, the new Indian constitution came into effect.
The Constitution of India is the supreme law of India that defines the fundamental political principles, structure and duties of government institutions, and the fundamental rights and duties of citizens. It is the longest written constitution of any sovereign country in the world.
The main Republic Day ceremony is held in New Delhi in the presence of the President of India. Indian communities across the world also hold a celebration in their respective countries of residence.
Celebrations in the community
The High Commission of India in New Zealand will be celebrating the Indian Republic Day in Wellington on Thursday, January 26, from 10:30 a.m. The occasion will see a flag-hoisting ceremony that will be followed by the Indian national anthem. The event will be held at Bharat Bhavan, 48 Kemp Street, Kilbirnie. The Indian High Commissioner Sanjiv Kohli will also read out the Indian President’s message to the nation and the programme will also include the cultural performances.
Later in the evening, Mr Kohli will also host a reception for ministers, members of parliament, and community leaders in Lower Hutt at Performing Arts Centre, Sacred Hearts College.
Earlier this week, the High Commission extended an invitation to all Indians and their friends to join the celebration.
Auckland Indian Association will also celebrate the occasion on January 26 at Mahatma Gandhi Centre, New North Road. The event, which will begin at 10 a.m., will feature flag hoisting followed by a cultural programme.
For those who cannot attend the weekday celebrations, Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust is hosting a Republic Day celebration on Saturday, January 21, from 11 a.m. at Mt Roskill War Memorial Hall, May Road, Mt Roskill.
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